Transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A transmission arrangement is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a first gear wheel, a first shaft, and a first shaft-like connecting element. The first shaft-like connecting element includes, but is not limited to a first end portion and a second end portion. The first shaft-like connecting element is connected with its first end portion to the first gear wheel and with its second end portion to the first shaft. The first shaft-like connecting element is connected with its first end portion to the first gear wheel via a first plug connection. The first plug connection is secured by means of a first retaining element provided on the circumferential surface of the first shaft-like connecting element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102010 005 830.0, filed Jan. 27, 2010, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to a transmission arrangement for a motorvehicle.

BACKGROUND

The transmission arrangements for motor vehicles usually comprise acasing, in which a plurality of gear wheels are disposed as well asopenings for the passage of shafts, which are connected to the gearwheels. A transfer of momentum from one shaft to another can take placevia the gear wheels, for example, accompanied by a change of the shaftrotational speed. The shafts are sealed with respect to the casing bymeans of dynamic seals, to avoid the escape of gear oil. In order toallow the preassembly of a transmission arrangement already filled withoil, for example, shaft-like connecting elements are used, which areconnected to corresponding shafts of a drive train during the mountingof the transmission arrangement in the motor vehicle. A disadvantagewith the known transmission arrangements for motor vehicles is that theinstallation of shaft-like connecting elements requires expensiveassembly.

It is therefore at least one object of the present invention to providea transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle, which allows a moresimplified assembly. In addition, other objects, desirable features andcharacteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary anddetailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings and this background.

SUMMARY

The transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle comprises a first gearwheel, a first shaft, and a first shaft-like connecting element. Thefirst shaft-like connecting element comprises a first end portion and asecond end portion. The first shaft-like connecting element is connectedwith its first end portion to the first gear wheel and with its secondend portion to the first shaft. The first shaft-like connecting elementis connected with its first end portion to the first gear wheel via afirst plug connection. The first plug connection is secured by means ofa first retaining element provided on the circumferential surface of thefirst shaft-like connecting element.

In the transmission arrangement, for example, a differentialtransmission of a motor vehicle, the first shaft-like connecting elementcan connect a first gear wheel, for example, a bevel gear, to anassociated shaft, for example, a shaft of a drive train. The firstshaft-like connecting element in this case can have a shaft-like shapewhich is rotationally symmetric about a central axis. The firstshaft-like connecting element has two end portions, a first end portion,which is disposed on the end of the first shaft-like connecting elementfacing the first gear wheel and a second end portion, which is disposedon the end of the first shaft-like connecting element opposite the firstend portion. The first shaft-like connecting element is detachablyconnected to the first gear wheel by means of a first plug connection.The first plug connection can be configured in such a manner that thefirst shaft-like connecting element has an outer profile on its firstend portion, for example, a spline, which can engage in acorrespondingly configured inner profile of the first gear wheel. Thefirst plug connection is preferably secured against an axial movementdirected along the central axis of the first shaft-like connectingelement in the direction of the first shaft, in order, for example, toavoid an unintentional release of the first shaft-like connectingelement. The securing is accomplished by means of a first retainingelement, which is disposed on the first end portion on thecircumferential surface of the first shaft-like connecting element.

Since the first shaft-like connecting element is connected to the firstgear wheel by means of a first plug connection and is secured againstsliding out axially by means of a first retaining element, no additionaltools are required during the final assembly, the installation of thetransmission arrangement according to the invention in a motor vehicle.As an result, assembly, in particular the connection of the transmissionarrangement to the drive train of the motor vehicle is simplified andcan thereby be accomplished in a shorter time, whereby cost savings arepossible. In addition, by using the transmission arrangement accordingto the invention, any damage to the dynamic seals can be avoided sincethese are in contact with the already preassembled, first shaft-likeconnecting element and not with a first shaft adjoining the firstshaft-like connecting element.

It is preferably provided that the first retaining element is configuredto be elastically deformable. As a result, mounting of the firstretaining element on the first shaft-like connecting element is possiblewithout requiring additional tools, since the first retaining elementcan be elastically deformed and thus, for example, can be clipped overthe circumferential surface of the first shaft-like connecting element.

In an embodiment, the first retaining element is configured in the formof a circlip. Through using a circlip as a first retaining element, theproduction costs can be reduced since a circlip comprises a standardmechanical engineering component.

It is preferably provided that at the first end portion the firstshaft-like connecting element has a first recess for receiving the firstretaining element. In this case, the first recess for receiving thefirst retaining element can be configured in the form of a groove, whichcan be formed around the central axis along the circumferential surfaceof the first shaft-like connecting element. The first recess can bedimensioned in such a manner that the first retaining element can bereceived and that in the case of an elastic deformation, for example, bycompressing, the first retaining element can be disposed in the firstrecess at least superficially flush with the circumferential surface. Asa result of this arrangement of the first retaining element in the firstrecess, the first retaining element can be compressed in the radialdirection during the mounting of the first plug connection, for example,through the inner profile of the first gear wheel and thereby pushedwith the first end portion of the first shaft-like connecting elementthrough the first gear wheel and then expand radially again at aposition outside the inner teeth of the first gear wheel. As a result,an unintentional release of the shaft-like connecting element in theaxial direction can be avoided.

According to an embodiment, the first gear wheel has an inner profileradially on the inside and the inner profile has a first outer bevel ona side surface facing the first shaft disposed on the second end portionof the first shaft-like connecting element and the inner profile has afirst inner bevel axially on a side surface facing away from the firstshaft. The inner profile of the first gear wheel can be configuredradially on the inside, on a surface facing the first shaft-likeconnecting element. The inner profile is preferably adapted to an outerprofile of the first shaft-like connecting element engaging in the innerprofile. The inner profile of the first gear wheel can, for example, beconfigured in the form of a spline or inner teeth. The first gear wheelhas an outer side surface facing the second end portion of the firstshaft-like connecting element which faces the first shaft disposed onthe second end portion. The first gear wheel further has an inner sidesurface on the side facing away from the first shaft. The inner sidesurface of the first gear wheel can have a rotationally symmetricshoulder about the central axis. The inner profile comprises an outerbevel in the axial direction on the outer side surface and an innerbevel on the inner side surface. Due to the outer bevel and/or the innerbevel, the edge of the substantially rectangular transition from oneside surface to the radially inward-lying surface of the inner profileis broken and a beveled transition takes place. When inserting the firstshaft-like connecting element with the first retaining element in thefirst plug connection, the outer bevel continuously elasticallycompresses the first retaining element on contact with the outer beveluntil the first retaining element has an external diameter which allowsit to be pushed through the inner profile of the first gear wheeltogether with the first end portion of the first shaft-like connectingelement. In a ready-mounted position of the first shaft-like connectingelement, the first retaining element can expand radially outward atleast at the inner bevel of the first gear wheel. As a result, the firstretaining element can abut against the inner side surface of the firstgear wheel, for example, directly against the bevel and can consequentlysecure the first shaft-like connecting element against pulling out fromthe first gear wheel in the axial direction. As a result of theconfiguration of the inner bevel, a renewed elastic compression of thefirst retaining element can be rendered possible under a force actingaxially in the direction of the first shaft, whereby the first plugconnection can be configured to be detachable.

It is preferably provided that the first outer bevel has a mountingangle and the first inner bevel has a retaining angle, wherein the ratioof the mounting angle to the retaining angle is approximately ≦1°. Themounting angle of the first outer bevel and the retaining angle of theinner bevel are relative to a geometric axis or are measured from ageometric axis of the first gear wheel, which can be disposed coaxiallyto the central axis of the first shaft-like connecting element, whereina mounting angle and/or retaining angle having a value of approximately0° is provided coaxially to the geometric axis and a value ofapproximately 90° is provided perpendicular to the geometric axis. Bychanging the ratio of the mounting angle to the retaining angle, it can,for example, be adjusted that the force required for mounting the firstplug connection under elastic deformation of the first retaining elementon the outer bevel should be lower than the force required to releasethe first plug connection and the elastic deformation of the firstretaining element on the inner bevel. The ratio of the mounting angle tothe retaining angle in an embodiment is approximately ≦0.75° and inanother embodiment approximately ≦0.5°. In another embodiment the valueof the mounting angle can be approximately 25°. By providing a higherforce for the release of the first plug connection, an unintentionalrelease of the shaft-like connecting element from the gear wheel can beavoided.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the invention, the firstshaft-like connecting element is connected with its second end portionto the first shaft via a second plug connection. In this case, thesecond plug connection can be configured in such a manner that the firstshaft-like connecting element has an outer profile or an inner profileon its second end portion, which engages in a correspondingly shapedinner profile or in a corresponding outer profile of the first shaft. Onits second end portion, the first shaft-like connecting element can havea recess having an inner profile, in which a correspondingly shapedouter profile of the first shaft can engage. By using a second plugconnection for connecting the first shaft-like connecting element to thefirst shaft, the advantages of the simple, rapid, and inexpensivemounting for a detachable connection, as is the case when using thefirst plug connection to connect the first shaft-like connecting elementto the first gear wheel, can also be utilized.

It is further provided according to an embodiment that the second plugconnection is secured by means of a second retaining element provided onthe circumferential surface of the first shaft-like connecting element.The use of a second retaining element for securing the second plugconnection against release enables simplified assembly without the needfor special tools. Furthermore, by matching the retaining angle on thefirst plug connection and a retaining angle on the second plugconnection, for example, by means of a smaller retaining angle on thefirst plug connection than on the second plug connection, it can beensured that, for example, when dismantling the transmission arrangementfor repair purposes, under the action of an axial force in the directionof the first shaft, firstly the second plug connection between the firstshaft-like connecting element and the first shaft can be released. Ahigher force is then required to release the first plug connectionbetween the first retaining element and the first gear wheel. In orderto prevent the penetration of dirt into the second plug connection,sealing rings, for example, O-rings can be disposed in the second plugconnection.

According to an embodiment, the transmission arrangement is configuredin such a manner that a second gear wheel, a second shaft, and a secondshaft-like connecting element is provided, wherein the second shaft-likeconnecting element comprises a third end portion and a fourth endportion, wherein the second shaft-like connecting element is connectedwith its third end portion to the second gear wheel via a third plugconnection and is connected with its fourth end portion to the secondshaft via a fourth plug connection, wherein the third plug connectionand/or the fourth plug connection is secured by means of a third and/orfourth retaining element provided in each case on the circumferentialsurface of the second shaft-like connecting element. By using at least asecond shaft-like connecting element, it is possible to connect at leastone second shaft by means of a simplified mounting to the transmissionarrangement according to the invention. By this means, it is possible,for example, to install a transmission without additional tools in amotor vehicle or to exchange it for example during repair work.Furthermore, the transmission arrangement can be supplied mounted andalready filled with oil for final assembly. In addition, shaftsadjoining the transmission arrangement do not come in contact withdynamic seals which could be damaged if the shafts are directlyconnected to the gear wheels, whereby damaged dynamic seals and apossible loss of oil can be avoided.

A motor vehicle is also provided that comprises at least onetransmission arrangement configured and further developed ashereinbefore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 shows a cutaway schematic view of a transmission arrangement thatis connected to a first and a second shaft; and

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway schematic view of an inner profile of a gearwheel having an outer bevel and an inner bevel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any theory presented in the precedingbackground or summary or the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 shows a transmission arrangement 10 according to the inventionfor a motor vehicle in the form of a differential transmission. Thetransmission arrangement 10 is disposed inside a casing 12 and comprisesa differential casing 13, in which a first gear wheel 14 and a secondgear wheel 16 are disposed. The first gear wheel 14 is detachablyconnected to a first shaft-like connecting element 18, which has a firstend portion 19, via a first plug connection 20. The second gear wheel 16is detachably connected to a second shaft-like connecting element 22 viaa third plug connection 24. The first plug connection 20 and the thirdplug connection 24 are preferably configured to be substantiallyidentically constructed. The first plug connection 20 is secured againstany axial release by a first retaining element 26. The first retainingelement 26 is disposed in a groove of the first shaft-like connectingelement 18 and is preassembled before mounting the first plug connection20 on the first shaft-like connecting element 18. The groove in thefirst shaft-like connecting element 18 is preferably configured to be ofsuch a depth that the first retaining element 26 can be elasticallyradially compressed during mounting of the first plug connection 20 onthe first outer bevel 30 of the first gear wheel 14 in such a mannerthat the first retaining element 26 can be pushed through an innerprofile 32 of the first gear wheel 14, as can be seen in FIG. 2. On afirst inner bevel 34 of the first gear wheel 14, the first retainingelement 26 can expand radially outward and thereby engage behind theinner profile 32 of the first gear wheel 14. For receiving the firstretaining element 26, a shoulder 36 is provided in the radial directionon the side surface of the first gear wheel 14 on which the inner bevel34 of the first gear wheel 14 is disposed. The shoulder 36 enablesexpansion of the first retaining element 26 without the first retainingelement 26 projecting in the axial direction beyond the dimensions ofthe first gear wheel 14.

Furthermore, the first shaft-like connecting element 18 is connected ata second end portion 23 to a first shaft 38 by means of a second plugconnection 40 and the second shaft-like connecting element 22 isconnected to a second shaft 42 by means of a fourth plug connection 44.The first shaft 38 is then connected to the first gear wheel 14 for thetransfer of momentum and the second shaft 42 is connected to the secondgear wheel 16 for the transfer of momentum. The second plug connection40 is thereby secured by a second retaining element 46 and the fourthplug connection 44 is secured by a fourth retaining element 48. Thefirst shaft-like connecting element 18 and the second shaft-likeconnecting element 22 are mounted and guided in the differential casing13 and are sealed by means of dynamic seals 50 toward the casing 12 toavoid any escape of oil from the casing 12 and penetration of dirt intothe casing 12. In order to improve the lubrication, oil grooves, notshown here, can be provided in the differential casing 13 or, forexample, the first shaft-like connecting element 18. The second plugconnection 40 and the fourth plug connection 44 are protected from thepenetration of dirt by sealing rings 52, for example, O-rings.

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway schematic view of the inner profile 32 of thefirst gear wheel 14 configured rotationally symmetrically about ageometric axis 54. The inner profile 32 is configured in the form ofspline teeth. On an outer side facing the first shaft 38, the innerprofile 32 has the outer bevel 32. The outer bevel 32 is configured at amounting angle 56 to the geometric axis 54 of the first gear wheel 14.On a side facing away from the first shaft 38, the first gear wheel 14has the inner bevel 34. The inner bevel 34 is configured in this case ata retaining angle 58 to the geometric axis of the first gear wheel 14.In the side surface facing away from the first shaft 38, the first gearwheel 14 has the shoulder 36. which receives the first retaining element26 expanded and/or relaxed in the radial direction. As a result, thefirst retaining element 26 does not protrude in the axial directionbeyond the first gear wheel 14 and as a result of its radial expansionover the smallest diameter of the inner profile 32, can secure the firstshaft-like connecting element 18 against axial release.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciatedthat a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciatedthat the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are onlyexamples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, orconfiguration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detaileddescription will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementsdescribed in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope asset forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle,comprising: a first gear wheel; a first shaft; and a first shaftconnecting element comprising: a first end portion connecting the firstshaft connecting element and the first gear wheel; and a second endportion connecting the first shaft connecting element and the firstshaft; a first plug connection connecting the first end portion to thefirst gear wheel; a second plug connection adapted to connect the secondend portion to the first shaft; and a first retaining element on acircumferential surface of the first shaft connecting element andadapted to secure the first plug connection.
 2. The transmissionarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining element iselastically deformable.
 3. The transmission arrangement according toclaim 2, wherein the first retaining element comprises a circlip.
 4. Thetransmission arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising afirst recess at the first end portion adapted to receive the firstretaining element.
 5. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the first gear wheel comprises an inner profile radially on aninside, wherein the inner profile comprises a first outer bevel on aside surface facing the first shaft disposed on the second end portion,and wherein the inner profile comprises a first inner bevel axially on asecond side surface facing away from the first shaft.
 6. Thetransmission arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first outerbevel comprises a mounting angle and the first inner bevel comprises aretaining angle, and\ wherein a ratio of the mounting angle to theretaining angle is approximately ≦1.
 7. The transmission arrangementaccording to claim 1, further comprising a second retaining element onthe circumferential surface of the first shaft connecting element thatis adapted to secure the second plug connection.
 8. A transmissionarrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising: a first gear wheel; a firstshaft; and a first shaft connecting element comprising: a first endportion connecting the first shaft connecting element and the first gearwheel; and a second end portion connecting the first shaft connectingelement and the first shaft; a first plug connection connecting thefirst end portion to the first gear wheel; a first retaining element ona circumferential surface of the first shaft connecting element andadapted to secure the first plug connection; a second gear wheel; asecond shaft; and a second shaft connecting element comprises: a thirdend portion; and a fourth end portion; a third plug connectionconnecting the third end portion to the second gear wheel; a fourth plugconnection connecting the fourth end portion to the second shaft; athird retaining element on a second circumferential surface of thesecond shaft connecting element adapted to secure the third plugconnection; and a fourth retaining element on the circumferentialsurface of the second shaft connecting element adapted to secure thefourth plug connection.